Down Time

Ever since I was diagnosed with Wegener’s Granulomatosis since Aug 2012, I’ve been very careful with my health and not to fall ill. However, after 3 months of keeping germ-free, my body has finally succumbed to a nasty cough. And that’s how it started again.

Last week was hell for me, and I’m really glad that it’s over now. The nasty cough caused my throat to be on fire, I coughed badly particularly during night time. I woke up with nose bleeding at night, and it worsens after the fourth day.

Initially, I thought that I might have coughed too forcefully until I tore my nose membrane and causes nose bleeding at night. But on the fourth incident, the blood just poured out from my nose, non-stop, and I was stuck in toilet for 20 minutes before the blood finally stopped.

When the bleeding stopped, I suddenly felt something ran down my throat and I quickly spit it out. To my horror, I saw a small lump of tissues – the size of a 50 cents coin – it’s bloody, disgusting and scary to the max.

I froze at the sight of it. I wanted to scream, I wanted to run, but I couldn’t though. Then, I cried and I was completely lost. I called V and we rushed to the ENT clinic immediately.

My ENT specialist, Dr. Luke Tan, gave me a thorough examination. He was very concerned, but he assured me that it wasn’t something new or life-threatening. It’s my existing condition that has flared up again, due to the viral infection from my cough. This condition is called a nasal haemorrhage.

Then, we rushed to see my blood specialist, Dr. Leong, at Gleneagles Hospital. He increased my Prednisolone from my current maintenance dose of 7.5mg back to 40mg again. I’ll need to take a high dosage for a while until the inflammation gradually stopped and my condition returns to stable condition.

I was grouchy and miserable the whole week. So, I took two days off from work and I had a four-day break (including the weekend) to rest, recover and re-collect myself. I stopped working and blogging completely. I had a really good rest.

It’s a brand new week and a brand new month again. I’m feeling much better today, both physically and emotionally. I realize that every day when I do wake up is a gift that should not be thrown away. I also realize how life is short and everything I do should be done with appreciation and thought, because I’ll never know if I will get to do them again.

I stepped up on Vitamin-popping now to strengthen my immune system. My health is my first priority now, and I’m looking forward to the day when my doctor declares that I’ve completely recovered and I’ll be medicine-free.

The day will come, for sure. I know it. I have faith in it.

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Comments

I’ve been a regular reader of your blog for about a year+; I’m not a blogger myself but i find great pleasure & familiarity reading other people’s stories on motherhood & parenting tips as me myself is a working mum to a 2yrs++ old boy.

My heart sank when i read about your illness…life is indeed unpredictable; one cannot truely understand the pain & agony you are going through unless he or she is faced with the same circumstances.

I just wana express my support for you & highlight how courageous & strong you have been all these while.

Yes, health is a priorty…& I’m sure you can overcome your illness with the regular medication, positive attitiude & support from your love ones.

Dear Jonie,
Thank you very much for your comforting message and taking your precious time to write this note to me. I really appreciate kind readers like you – who makes me feel good and worthwhile maintaining this blog with all my time and efforts. I’m happy to know you from this blog.

Life is indeed unpredictable. During my younger days, I took my health for granted. Now that I’m not 100% well, I know that I should re-prioritize certain things in my life. Health is one of them. I’m doing whatever I can to overcome my illness. I’m grateful to the support from my family, friends and readers like you.

Welcome

Hi, I'm Emily! Welcome to Our Little Smarties.♥This is a parenting and lifestyle blog of a working mother in Singapore. It covers topics on family life, parenting, education, food, travel & everything beautiful in life!♥Wanna know more about me?Please read on.